Bulls trying to move past LeBron's sideline dancing
A popular snapshot during the Bulls-Cavaliers season series is bound to be Joakim Noah yelling at LeBron James late in the Dec. 4 contest, while Noah sat on the Bulls bench and James stood at the free-throw line.
Noah was upset with James dancing on the sideline a few minutes earlier, long before a 101-87 Cavs victory was over. Of course, those sort of antics have been common in Cleveland the past two years.
Asked Friday for his feelings about the incident, which is being played up in the Cleveland media, Noah didn't get carried away.
"I have no feelings at all," he said. "I'm just excited to be on that stage now. Obviously, what happened in that game, I wasn't too happy about it. I think our team wasn't too happy about it. We thought it was disrespectful. If he's still upset about it, that's on him. I have no hard feelings."
As far as trash talk goes, the Cavs don't have nearly as bad a reputation as Boston, last year's playoff opponent. Either way, Noah isn't worried.
"I'm from New York City," he said. "That's what people do is talk. I'm used to it."
Following practice Thursday, James sent a warning to Noah and the Bulls.
"We're ready for the challenge," James said. "Noah's a really good player. He's a really good talent. But, you know, he asked for us a couple weeks ago and he got us. So we're ready. It's a different monster they're going to be playing against on Saturday."
Quick turnaround: Finishing the season with back-to-back games, coach Vinny Del Negro felt it was important to give rest the players Thursday. But the Bulls and Cavaliers are also playing the first playoff game of the weekend.
The Bulls held a practice Friday that lasted less than 90 minutes and won't shootaround Saturday due to the afternoon tip off. Does Del Negro feel like he had enough time to prepare for this series?
"You always want more," he said. "I don't control the schedule. We jumped right on it after the game in Charlotte and we were prepared before that. You wish you had more time. You don't."
Rookie initiation: Rookie power forward Taj Gibson has been remarkably reliable for the Bulls all year and now the No. 26 draft pick will be in the starting lineup for his first NBA playoff game. Does he know what to expect?
"It's real physical. Don't expect any calls. Don't let emotions take over," Gibson said. "Just play your game - that's what Brad (Miller) and Joakim (Noah) have been telling me today.
"Once I get out there, I'll probably be a little shocked. I played in 82 games this year. I'm not a rookie anymore. It's a grown-man's game now."
Bull horns: The Bulls are 5-0 in playoff series against Cleveland and have a nine-game postseason win streak against the Cavs, though the teams haven't met since 1994. - If anyone is looking for weaknesses in the NBA's top team, Cleveland was the league's worst free-throw shooting team during the regular season (72 percent). The Cavs also ranked 27th in offensive rebounds per game and 28th in forcing turnovers.